Spirits are experiencing a popularity wave larger than ever in the drinks market, carrying evermore influence at hospitality venues. The main culprit behind this phenomenon is gin. Sales have been rising dramatically for the past several years, passing £1 billion in sales in a 12-month period in 2018.
Consumer confidence has inspired the frequent openings of new distilleries, laying the ground work for new flavours and blends to sweep the market and continue to engage consumer curiosity. Alongside vodka, gin’s versatility has become a major gear in the machine that is the revival of the cocktail trend. Often consumed as part of mixed drinks, these are incredibly flexible spirits for more than just established recipes, including many innovative mixes that operators have created to reinvigorate today’s market.
Whiskey is also a must when it comes to any cocktail menu. Despite the rise of gin and vodka’s flexibility, whiskey is still a staple choice by being a key ingredient in many of today’s agelessly favoured cocktails. The timeless Old Fashioned, the well-named Whiskey Sour and the flavourful classic that is the Manhattan are but a few of many notable examples. Whiskey-based cocktails are still renowned by bartenders and are known by consumers worldwide, guaranteeing at least minor success by adding them to your menu.
A big question on the minds of operators is wondering how they can provide a product with a premium feel whilst giving their customers good value at the same time. What’s really driving consumers towards the cocktail trend is the opportunity for an operator’s take on innovation and the exclusivity that comes with it. More operators are developing cocktail menu’s featuring their own creations, promoting to their patrons the results of their own unique “mixology”. Consumers are often willing to pay more for a premium drinking experience that has been expertly crafted by a venue’s talented staff, giving them a well-earned feel of value for money whilst healthy sales are also being encouraged.
Another increasingly popular innovation is that of mocktails, the name of which is a light-hearted jest towards the traditional cocktail. Being alcohol-free, mocktails are an effective solution for those who are tired of resorting to water, coke or other soft drinks when being the designated driver or if simply not wanting to drink alcohol at all. The increased attention has even allowed bar staff the opportunity for experiments with their ingredients, continuously increasing the range of premium concoctions for their customers, whilst keeping costs down for the operator due to not having to use spirits. To pull off the perfect cocktail menu, you will need some accessories to really wow your guests! Luckily, at Alliance Online, we stock a wide range of bar accessories and equipment which will allow you to create and serve the perfect cocktails.
